Author Archives: XM

Edna’s Story

When we were in Santarém, Edna invited us for a special meal of fish, pork, and salad. Edna recounted the following story. A few years Edna and Angelita travelled over 2,000 kilometres to a distant city, Fortaleza, to visit an elderly aunt. They thought their sister, one of the non-identical twins, lived in that city

How to Help Children Mature Spiritually

How to Keep Children in Church  Bob Logan helps leaders of churches and denominations. He thinks if children experience genuine connections with God, they are more likely to stay in church after graduating from high school.  For the rest of Bob’s blog, CLICK HERE. Help Others Get Their Own Experiences With God As I pray about planting

Writing While Traveling

I wrote this in the barbecue area at a friend’s house in Santarem. Powered by WPeMatico

A Father Who Is Present

Now when I pray I often tell our Heavenly Father, “I want you to be Present. Being a good provider is important but I want a Father who is present all the time, and who will train me how to do stuff.” Jesus says “This is the kind of prayer our Father loves to answer.” “If

Signs of the Kingdom

Eulevan was a dedicated bodyguard and specialist of Saint Benedito. Fatima belonged to a special group of women who were dedicated to worshiping this patron saint of Gurupá. Heitor, their 16-year-old son, prayed for his parents and sister for years. After Fatima became a Christian, she grew tired of her 30-year-old common law relationship with

A Seasonal Challenge

Christmas is a great time to call or message someone and wish them well. Look especially for relatives or old acquaintances with whom you sense and emotional cut-off. Many of us have a family history of cut-offs. If you see this trend in your life, especially in your family, work on reversing it. Roberta Gilbert

Times of Uncertainty

Coffee Shop Incident There was only one other couple in the café. We got our coffees and sat down at a different table. The early morning coffee tasted even better because it was snowing outside. The businessman I was meeting was burdened. Memories of many coffees like this decades ago helped the stories to flow.

Hope Center Opens!

  When we were last in Canada we spoke of our dreams of being able to open a home for women where they could really find healing and transformation.  A place where they would live for up to a year and receive healing, training, and discipleship.   As we all know, we need to walk

Spiritual Conversations

A sign of God’s presence is unsolicited spiritual conversations. This week I was getting our car fixed. The manager was a beautiful lady in her mid-twenties. As I was paying the bill I noticed a one-word script tattoo on her arm. I asked her what it said. “Resiliencia (translation: Resilient)“. I nodded, paid the bill and drove off.

Trading With God

To all who mourn in Israel he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. Isaiah 61:3 My friend grew up in New York in the